McPHERSON, Kan. – After another historic season that saw the McPherson Bullpups Boys Basketball team hoist another State Championship trophy, star senior guard Gabe Pyle was named by KSHSAA Covered and Sports In Kansas as one of the members of the All-State Top 5 team, which recognizes the best players in all combined classifications.
The 6’6″ senior closed off another terrific season, finishing as the team’s leading scorer and named the All-League MVP for the second year in a row. Pyle led all Bullpups in the 2024 undefeated State Championship run averaging 16.8 PPG, improving that mark to 21.0 PPG to lead the State Title team a year later. Pyle led the 4A State Tournament in scoring as well, averaging 17.1 points in the three victories in Salina.
Pyle’s legendary run grew towards the final month of the 2024-25 season, starting with his 44-point performance against Buhler on Valentine’s Day, tying a school record. Pyle broke the record for most 3-pointers made in a game that day with 11, breaking Brian Henson’s old record of eight. He took that momentum into the State Tournament, highlighted by a pair of game-winning buzzer-beaters in the State Quarterfinals and Semifinals. Pyle would score 13 points and grab six rebounds and two steals in the State Title win vs. Rock Creek.
What a sequence for McPherson to win the State Quarterfinal game vs. Baldwin.
Ashton Malm (@Ashtonmalm12) gives McPherson the lead at the line but Baldwin answers back with a layup.
Then, the senior Gabe Pyle (@GabrielPyle24) wins the game with a runner at the buzzer!#KSPreps pic.twitter.com/iaVSZLYeJy
— Lane Gillespie (@LaneGillPxP) March 12, 2025
McPherson Magic x2
Gave Pyle (@GabrielPyle24) hits another game-winner! This time in double overtime against unbeaten Ottawa to send the the Bullpups back to the State Championship!#KSPreps pic.twitter.com/HY79lSZY4i
— Lane Gillespie (@LaneGillPxP) March 14, 2025
The defensive efforts of Gabe Pyle also showed up in the record books, finishing with 80 steals (3.2 per game) in his senior year, the fifth-most in a season in school history. He finished his four-year career with 190 steals, which are the second most in school history. He has hit other marks that will etch his name in school history as he is also the school’s sixth-highest scorer of all time (1,186 career points) and has the 5th most career blocks with 78.
Pyle is still undecided on where he will go to college, but he plans on playing basketball at the next level. He has already announced publicly that he has earned offers from McPherson College, Colby Community College, MidAmerica Nazarene University, and Bethel College, however he said on X/Twitter that his recruitment is still wide open.
Highlights from 2nd semester of senior season
21 ppg
5.2 rpg
2.3apg
3.2spg
Recruitment is still wide open.
Coaches feel free to reach me at 6202457281 or by direct message! pic.twitter.com/z8uMGYcaYn— Gabriel Pyle (@GabrielPyle24) March 27, 2025
KSHSAA COVERED TOP 5
- Corbin Johnson (6’4″ Sr.) – Kapaun Mt. Carmel
- Ian Premer (6’6″ Jr.) – Great Bend
- Gabe Pyle (6’6″ Sr.) – McPherson
- Ja’Corey Robinson (6’6″ Sr.) – Topeka-Highland Park
- Keaton Wagler (6’6″ Sr.) – Shawnee Mission Northwest
SPORTS IN KANSAS TOP 15
- Top 5:
- Ja’Corey Robinson (Topeka-Highland Park)
- Keaton Wagler (Shawnee Mission Northwest)
- Gabe Pyle (McPherson)
- Ethan Taylor (Shawnee Mission Northwest)
- Corbin Johnson (Kapaun Mt. Carmel)
- Second 5:
- Ian Premer (Great Bend)
- Josh Kim (Andover)
- Nic Anderson (Olathe South)
- Jaalan Watson (Olathe North)
- Cooper Carr (Baldwin)
- Third 5:
- Carter Kaifels (Mill Valley)
- Jack Perry (Galena)
- Reed Friesen (Hesston)
- Brady Brumbaugh (Goodland)
- Ty Romero (Elyria Christian)
- Bear Moddelmog (Moundridge)
- Amalachi Wilkins (Wichita Heights)
*Seven players in the “Third 5” due to voting.
